Is there a downside to a Mamiya 7?

dave lackey

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The Ciro-flex is such an interesting experience using 120 film. Now, I am wondering about the Mamiya 7...IIRC, it can handle both 120 and 220 film?

Trying to understand this system a bit better...like which is the best lens for general use? Any character lenses?

Overall, why would one choose a MF like the Mamiya 7 (i/ii) in a film market like it is?

It seems to make sense to me!🙂
 
The Ciro-flex is such an interesting experience using 120 film. Now, I am wondering about the Mamiya 7...IIRC, it can handle both 120 and 220 film?

Sure. Not that that matters much. Kodak Portra 160 and 400 seem to be the last remaining 220 films. And what with Kodak already having axed the black and white ones, chances are that Portra in 220 will soon follow.

Trying to understand this system a bit better...like which is the best lens for general use? Any character lenses?

Overall, why would one choose a MF like the Mamiya 7 (i/ii) in a film market like it is?

The lenses are among the best medium format lenses ever made. The cameras aren't bad either - but a bit more fragile than their main professional market, travel photographers, would have liked.
 
For a handheld, portable camera, with interchangeable lenses, in 6x6 or 6x7, Mamiya 6 and 7 are almost the only choice I think.

I only ever had the 65mm lens on my Mamiya 7, it was pretty much perfect. Not a character lens at all, just technically faultless.

I'd choose one if I wanted a handheld MF camera with interchangeable lenses, but as it stands, I'm not that fussed about extra lenses, I'd get a GF670 instead.
 
Well I say you should choose one because it is probably one of the best cameras in the world. In handling and weight, there is almost nothing comparable for shooting 6x7.

I think it is as quick to use as any rangefinder, has a quieter shutter than a Leica, and has a good range of lenses for pretty cheap money compared to most 35mm rangefinder glass. I don't think you could consider Mamiya 7 lenses to be 'character lenses'. They are devastatingly clean and precise lenses with none of the imperfections that are often seen as character. The only other issue to consider is that the f4.0 is as fast as Mamiya 7 lenses go.

The Mamiya 7's only Achilles heel is close focusing (which is the same as all rangefinders). You'll find that if doing a portrait, at closest focus, you would get from the top of a persons head to the bottom of their folded arms. So no head-shots. The 80mm lens is cheap and lightweight and I think is a good one to start with, though many seem to prefer the 65mm

...and yes it can handle 220.

You must also remember that there is little to compare to a good lens and a big neg.

50mm lens

Untitled by Bobfrance, on Flickr


Untitled by Bobfrance, on Flickr

80mm

Untitled by Bobfrance, on Flickr


Untitled by Bobfrance, on Flickr

150mm

Untitled by Bobfrance, on Flickr


Untitled by Bobfrance, on Flickr

To summarise I like my Mamya 7ii very much. 🙂

Bob.
 
Absolutely not.

maybe the 6x7 format can be problematic .. as in getting a bigger enlarger (mine only does 6x6) or scanners that only scan 2 frames at once instead of 3 frames w/ 6x6
 
The M7 is great, if a little limited. No character lenses- all sharp, rectilinear gems! The 65mm is probably the one to go with if you will only have one lens.
 
Downsides that made me sell my Mamiya 7 (i):
- mfd is too long on the wide angle lenses,
- lenses render harshly in b&w,
- the viewfinder (focusing is fine, framing is not).
IMHO (!) the Mamiya 7 is good for street photography, not so good for landscapes.
 
One downside that's been keeping me at bay in regards to the Mamiya 7 is the lack of fast lenses. My favorite medium format lenses include the Norita 80/2, Pentax 105/2.4, and Hasselblad/Carl Zeiss 110/2. Without even an f2.8, or an f3.5, I feel there's only certain kinds of images that can be made with the Mamiya 7. I think it'd be fabulous with the 43mm though 🙂
 
I have the M6 with the 75mm and I absolutely love it.

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The processing of the film is the only problem I have, especially where I live. 🙁
 
It's great

It's great

M7 is definitely the best medium format lenses and camera out there now for what it is good at. But, for things like portraits, architecture, action, long teles, etc., the RZ67 is better. Ultimately, have both , which is what I do.

-Ed
 
It's a pretty meager selection of "down sides",'çuz once you own one you'll know what most owners know: you'll have one fine picture taking piece of gear!
Regards,Peter
 
Only one that I know of....

Only one that I know of....

Overpriced. The market is too high on these camera's.

Reason I only bought one and a couple of lenses, and changed over to the Fuji big rangefinders. Price. Overvalued.
 
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